Lizzie Posted September 7, 2009 Share Posted September 7, 2009 Hi When we brought our second lot of ex batts home back in February, our exisiting ex batts went nuts. They ran straight down the garden and it took over a week before they would stop squaking everytime they saw the new hens. I even had to put a screen up so they were not making a noise all of the time. On Saturday, we collected three young hens, not ex batts this time and there has not been a peep out of our exisiting hens. Do you think it was the smell of the ex batts in Feb that caused the problem before, reminding the exisiting girls what a terrible time they had been through ? Just wondered Regards Liz Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Old Speckled Hen Posted September 7, 2009 Share Posted September 7, 2009 An interesting theory. And quite a humbling one really. I'm sure there's something to it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stoice Posted September 7, 2009 Share Posted September 7, 2009 maybe it was seeing another ex-batt (ie: not many feathers) that was a visual reminder of their past. No feathers = fight for everything to survive. How sad if it's true. At least they've got a great life now. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ms Tilytinkle Posted September 7, 2009 Share Posted September 7, 2009 Yes I would think its the association, ie. they associate us to food & treats - so why not smell & ex batts to their past horrendous ordeal. compounded by their now happiness & freedom, the past in comparison to their lives now you bet they'd squawk!! . Ahhhh Bless their dear little Souls. Ms Tillyoffoutingardentogiehersextratreatsjustbecause justbecausenoreasonexcepttheyreallsooolovely Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Space Chick Posted September 7, 2009 Share Posted September 7, 2009 The poor babies It makes you think what they remember. My 3 ex batts have only been cage free for a few weeks, but yesterday whilst free ranging, Polly got trapped between the WIR and the door (which was held open by a bungee rope), she completely freaked out. I have never seen a chicken in such a blind state of panic. I unclipped the door and she walked off flapping her wings. Some of my other girls have also done this, but they just back out with a little fuss. It made me think if Polly was having a "back to the cage panic attack" I gave Polly some extra mealworms, some corn and some plum to remind her that she's living in a loving home in the lap of luxury now Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted September 7, 2009 Share Posted September 7, 2009 Fascinating. You might be on to something there. The smell of a newly released ex-batt is unforgettable. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
